787-9

European low-cost carrier Norwegian Air plans to buy 20 787-9 long-haul jetliners, as part of a plan to expand its international services.

The additional aircraft are expected to be delivered after 2018.

Norwegian Air CEO Bjørn Kjos was quoted by The Wall Street Journal as saying that the additional airliners would accommodate growth plans until 2022.

The carrier’s low-cost, long-haul operations, which began last year, are built around the 787s lower fuel burn.

Norwegian Air currently operates seven 787-8s, and will grow its fleet to 17 aircraft in 2018 through orders and lease commitments.

The airline began a new service from London Gatwick airport to New York.

Kjos told the international daily that London’s Gatwick airport would play a key node in the long-haul network, where the airline expects to tap passengers on discount short-haul airlines for its transatlantic and Asian flights.

Norwegian Air also plans to deploy Boeing 737 Max 8s on longer routes. The 737 Max 8s are due to be received in 2017, and will replace the existing 737-800s.

The carrier has also placed order for Airbus A320neo jets primarily for use on the short-haul routes with deliveries from 2016, Kjos added.

Image: A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Photo: courtesy of The Boeing Company.

Defence Technology